Mobile terminal and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal includes a controller to establish a connection with a packet data network through a wireless communication unit. The controller selects one of a plurality of timer values that are respectively mapped to multiple applications for transmitting/receiving packet data through the connection based on a predetermined priority, operates a timer based on the selected timer value, and controls the connection based on the timer.

This application claims the benefit of and priority to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2010-0043920, filed on May 11, 2010, the contents ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One or more embodiments relate to communication terminals.

2. Background

Terminals can be classified into mobile terminals and stationaryterminals. Mobile terminals can be classified into handheld terminalsand vehicle mount terminals according to whether users can personallycarry the terminals. There is a recent trend of providing an emailservice through mobile terminals, and thus improvement of structuralparts and/or software parts of the mobile terminals is considered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a service network.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a mobile terminal in the network.

FIG. 3 shows one method for controlling a mobile terminal.

FIG. 4 shows an operation performed by the mobile terminal to select anFD timer value as a new packet switched application is executed.

FIG. 5 shows an operation performed by the mobile terminal to select afast dormancy (FD) timer value as a packet exchange application beingexecuted is ended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a mobile terminal 100 linked to a packet data network 200using a packet data protocol (PDP) context. The packet data network 200may be a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) network or awireless code division multiple access (WCDMA) network. The packet datanetwork 200 includes home location register (HLR), mobile service center(MSC), visitor location register (VLR), gateway MSC (GMSC), serving GPRSsupport node (SGSN), gateway GPRS support node (GGSN), etc. This isknown in the art so that detailed explanation is omitted herein.

The PDP context includes information such as PDP type, PDP address,access point name (APN), quality of service (QoS), etc. required for themobile terminal 100 to be linked to the packet data network 200 andprovides a connection between the mobile terminal 100 and the packetdata network 200 such that data can be transmitted and received betweenthe mobile terminal 100 and the packet data network 200.

When the mobile terminal 100 is requested to execute an application oftransmitting/receiving packet data to/from the packet data network 200,the mobile terminal 100 operates in relation to the packet data network200 to activate the PDP context so as to set a connection with thepacket data network 200. The mobile terminal 100 cancels the connectionwith the packet data network 200 by deactivating the PDP context. In thefollowing description, the application of transmitting/receiving packagedata to/from the packet data network 200 is referred to as “packetswitched application”.

The mobile terminal 100 activates a single PDP context to establish asingle connection. The mobile terminal 100 has to activate multiple PDPcontexts to establish multiple connections. Here, a connectionestablished according to activation of the PDP is different fromattachment to SGSN and means a connection with GGSN.

The mobile terminal 100 can support only a single PDP context ormultiple PDP contexts according to the platform characteristic of themobile terminal 100. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 100 can activateonly a single PDP context or multiple PDP contexts according to anetwork environment.

The mobile terminal 100 sets a timer for executing a fast dormancy (FD)function for each connection establish through PDP context activation.Here, the FD function means a function of deactivating a PDP context tocancel a connection set using the PDP context without waiting for acontrol command of a network when there is no data transmitted/receivedthrough the connection for longer than a predetermined time.

Hereinafter, the timer for executing the FD function is referred to as“FD timer.” The mobile terminal 100 operates the FD timer for a timecorresponding to an FD timer value and cancels the connection if thereis no packet data transmitted/received between the mobile terminal 100and the packet data network 200 until the FD timer is ended. When packetdata is transmitted/received between the mobile terminal 100 and thepacket data network 200 while the FD timer operates, the mobile terminal100 maintains the connection and re-operates the FD timer.

Since a conventional mobile terminal can activate only a single PDPcontext, it is impossible to set the FD timer in consideration of allthe packet transmitting/receiving patterns of multiple packet switchedapplications when the packet switched applications transmit/receive datathrough a single connection. That is, the conventional mobile terminalsets the FD timer in consideration of only a single packet switchedapplication or operates the FD timer using a fixed timer value.Accordingly, the conventional mobile terminal maintains an unnecessaryconnection with the packet data network to cause unnecessary powerconsumption or cancels the connection too early and thus the traffic ofa specific application becomes bad and QoS of the application cannot besatisfied.

Therefore, when multiple packet switched applications of the mobileterminal 100 transmit/receive data through a single connection, one ormore embodiments described herein provide a control method of the mobileterminal 100 for satisfying QoS of each application while minimizingpower consumption in consideration of the packet transmitting/receivingpattern of each application.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a mobile terminal 100 which, for example,may operate in the network of FIG. 1. Other embodiments, configurationsand arrangements may also be provided. As shown, a mobile terminal 100may include a radio communication unit 110, an audio/video (A/V) inputunit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150,a memory 160, an interface 170, a controller 180 and a power supply 190.The components shown in FIG. 2 are not essential parts and the number ofcomponents included in the mobile terminal can be varied.

The components of the mobile terminal will now be described.

The radio communication unit 110 can include at least one module thatenables radio communication between the mobile terminal 100 and a radiocommunication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a network inwhich the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the radiocommunication unit 110 can include a broadcasting receiving module 111,a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, alocal area communication module 114 and a position information module115.

The broadcasting receiving module 111 receives broadcasting signalsand/or broadcasting related information from an external broadcastingmanagement server through a broadcasting channel.

The broadcasting channel can include a satellite channel and aterrestrial channel. The broadcasting management server can be a serverthat generates and transmits broadcasting signals and/or broadcastingrelated information or a server that receives previously createdbroadcasting signals and/or broadcasting related information andtransmits the broadcasting signals and/or broadcasting relatedinformation to a terminal. The broadcasting signals can include not onlyTV broadcasting signals, radio broadcasting signals and databroadcasting signals but also signals in the form of combination of a TVbroadcasting signal and a radio broadcasting signal.

The broadcasting related information can be information on abroadcasting channel, a broadcasting program or a broadcasting serviceprovider. The broadcasting related information can be provided eventhrough a mobile communication network. In this case, the broadcastingrelated information can be received by the mobile communication module112.

The broadcasting related information can exist in various forms. Forexample, the broadcasting related information can exist in the form ofelectronic program guide (EPG) of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB)or in the form of electronic service guide (ESG) of digital videobroadcast-handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcasting receiving module 111 receives broadcasting signalsusing various broadcasting systems. Particularly, the broadcastingreceiving module 111 can receive digital broadcasting signals usingdigital broadcasting systems such as digital multimediabroadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimediabroadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), media forward link only (MediaFLO),DVB-H and integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T)systems. The broadcasting receiving module 111 can be constructed to besuited to broadcasting systems providing broadcasting signals other thanthe above-described digital broadcasting systems.

The broadcasting signals and/or broadcasting related informationreceived through the broadcasting receiving module 111 can be stored inthe memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives a radio signalto/from at least one of a base station, an external terminal and aserver on a mobile communication network. The radio signal can include avoice call signal, a video telephony call signal or data in variousforms according to transmission and receiving of text/multimediamessages.

The wireless Internet module 113 means a module for wireless Internetaccess and can be included in the mobile terminal 100 or externallyattached to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi),wireless broadband (Wibro), world interoperability for microwave access(Wimax), high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) and so on can be usedas a wireless Internet technique.

The local area communication module 114 means a module for local areacommunication. Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID),infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband (UWB) and ZigBee can beused as a local area communication technique.

The position information module 115 confirms or obtains the position ofthe mobile terminal. A global positioning system (GPS) module is arepresentative example of the position information module 115. Accordingto the current technology, the GPS module 115 can calculate informationon distances between one point (object) and at least three satellitesand information on the time when the distance information is measuredand apply trigonometry to the obtained distance information to obtainthree-dimensional position information on the point (object) accordingto latitude, longitude and altitude at a predetermined time.

Furthermore, a method of calculating position and time information usingthree satellites and correcting the calculated position and timeinformation using another satellite is also used. In addition, the GPSmodule 115 continuously calculates the current position in real time andcalculates velocity information using the position information.

Referring to FIG. 2, the AN input unit 120 is used to input an audiosignal or a video signal and can include a camera 121 and a microphone122. The camera 121 processes image frames of still images or movingimages obtained by an image sensor in a video telephony mode or aphotographing mode. The processed image frames can be displayed on adisplay unit 151.

The image frames processed by the camera 121 can be stored in the memory160 or transmitted to an external device through the radio communicationunit 110. The mobile terminal 100 can include at least two camerasaccording to constitution of the terminal.

The microphone 122 receives an external audio signal in a call mode, arecording mode or a speed recognition mode and processes the receivedaudio signal into electric audio data. The audio data can be convertedinto a form that can be transmitted to a mobile communication basestation through the mobile communication module 112 and output in thecall mode. The microphone 122 can employ various noise removalalgorithms for removing noise generated when the external audio signalis received.

The user input unit 130 receives input data for controlling theoperation of the terminal from a user. The user input unit 130 caninclude a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad (constantvoltage/capacitance), jog wheel, jog switch and so on.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the mobile terminal100, such as open/close state of the mobile terminal 100, the positionof the mobile terminal 100, whether a user touches the mobile terminal100, the direction of the mobile terminal 100 andacceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal 100 and generates asensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100.For example, the sensing unit 140 can sense whether a slide phone isopened or closed when the mobile terminal 100 is the slide phone.Furthermore, the sensing unit 140 can sense whether the power supply 190supplies power and whether the interface 170 is connected to an externaldevice. The sensing unit 140 can include a proximity sensor.

The output unit 150 generates visual, auditory or tactile output and caninclude the display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm 153and a haptic module 154.

The display unit 151 displays information processed by the mobileterminal 100. For example, the display unit 151 displays UI or graphicuser interface (GUI) related to a telephone call when the mobileterminal is in the call mode. The display unit 151 displays a capturedor/and received image, UI or GUI when the mobile terminal 100 is in thevideo telephony mode or the photographing mode.

The display unit 151 can include at least one of a liquid crystaldisplay, a thin film transistor liquid crystal display, an organiclight-emitting diode display, a flexible display and a three-dimensionaldisplay.

Some of these displays can be of a transparent type or a lighttransmission type. This can be referred to as a transparent display. Thetransparent display includes a transparent liquid crystal display. Therear structure of the display unit 151 can also be of the lighttransmission type. According to this structure, a user can see an objectlocated behind the body of the mobile terminal 100 through an area ofthe body of the mobile terminal 100, which is occupied by the displayunit 151.

The mobile terminal 100 can include at least two display units 151according to constitution of the terminal. For example, the mobileterminal 100 can include a plurality of displays that are arranged on asingle face at a predetermined distance or integrated. Otherwise, theplurality of displays can be arranged on different sides.

In the case where the display unit 151 and a sensor sensing touch(referred to as a touch sensor hereinafter) form a layered structure,which is referred to as a touch screen hereinafter, the display unit 151can be used as an input device in addition to an output device. Thetouch sensor can be in the form of a touch film, a touch sheet and atouch pad, for example.

The touch sensor can be constructed such that it converts a variation inpressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or avariation in capacitance generated at a specific portion of the displayunit 151 into an electric input signal. The touch sensor can beconstructed such that it can sense pressure of touch as well as theposition and area of touch.

When touch input is applied to the touch sensor, a signal correspondingto the touch input is transmitted to a touch controller. The touchcontroller processes the signal and transmits data corresponding to theprocessed signal to the controller 180. Accordingly, the controller 180can detect a touched portion of the display 151.

Referring to FIG. 2, the proximity sensor 141 can be located in aninternal region of the mobile terminal, surrounded by the touch screen,or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor senses an objectapproaching a predetermined sensing face or an object located near theproximity sensor using electromagnetic force or infrared rays withouthaving mechanical contact. The proximity sensor has lifetime longer thanthat of a contact sensor and has wide application.

The proximity sensor includes a transmission type photo-electric sensor,a direct reflection type photo-electric sensor, a mirror reflection typephoto-electric sensor, a high-frequency oscillating proximity sensor, acapacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, an infraredproximity sensor, etc.

A capacitive touch screen is constructed such that proximity of apointer is detected through a variation in an electric field accordingto the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touchsensor) can be classified as a proximity sensor.

For convenience of explanation, an action of approaching the pointer tothe touch screen while the pointer it not being in contact with thetouch screen such that location of the pointer on the touch screen isrecognized is referred to as “proximity touch” and an action of bringthe pointer into contact with the touch screen is referred to as“contact touch” in the following description. A proximity touch point ofthe pointer on the touch screen means a point of the touch screen towhich the pointer corresponds perpendicularly to the touch screen whenthe pointer proximity-touches the touch screen.

The proximity sensor senses proximity touch and a proximity touchpattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touchdirection, a proximity touch velocity, a proximity touch time, aproximity touch position, a proximity touch moving state, etc.).Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch action andproximity touch pattern can be displayed on the touch screen.

The audio output module 152 can output audio data received from theradio communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a callsignal receiving mode, a telephone call mode or a recording mode, aspeech recognition mode and a broadcasting receiving mode. The audiooutput module 152 outputs audio signals related to functions (forexample, a call signal incoming tone, a message incoming tone, etc.)performed in the mobile terminal 100. The audio output module 152 caninclude a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, etc.

The alarm 153 outputs a signal for indicating generation of an event ofthe mobile terminal 100. Examples of events generated in the mobileterminal include receiving of a call signal, receiving of a message,input of a key signal, input of touch, etc. The alarm 153 can outputsignals in forms different from video signals or audio signals, forexample, a signal for indicating generation of an event throughvibration. The video signals or the audio signals can be also outputthrough the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152.

The haptic module 154 generates various haptic effects that the user canfeel. A representative example of the haptic effects is vibration. Theintensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154can be controlled. For example, different vibrations can be combined andoutput or sequentially output.

The haptic module 154 can generate a variety of haptic effects includingan effect of stimulus according to arrangement of pins vertically movingfor a contact skin face, an effect of stimulus according to jet force orsucking force of air through a jet hole or a sucking hole, an effect ofstimulus rubbing the skin, an effect of stimulus according to contact ofan electrode, an effect of stimulus using electrostatic force and aneffect according to reproduction of cold and warmth using an elementcapable of absorbing or radiating heat in addition to vibrations.

The haptic module 154 can not only transmit haptic effects throughdirect contact but also allow the user to feel haptic effects throughkinesthetic sense of his fingers or arms. The mobile terminal 100 caninclude at least two haptic modules 154 according to constitution of themobile terminal.

The memory 160 can store a program for the operation of the controller180 and temporarily store input/output data (for example, phone book,messages, still images, moving images, etc.). The memory 160 can storedata about vibrations and sounds in various patterns, which are outputfrom when a touch input is applied to the touch screen.

The memory 160 can include at least one of a flash memory, a hard disktype memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory(for example, SD or XD memory), a random access memory (RAM), a staticRAM (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasableprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM) magnetic memory, amagnetic disk and an optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 can operatein relation to a web storage performing the storing function of thememory 160 on the Internet.

The interface 170 serves as a path to all external devices connected tothe mobile terminal 100. The interface 170 receives data from theexternal devices or power and transmits the data or power to theinternal components of the mobile terminal 100 or transmits data of themobile terminal 100 to the external devices. The interface 170 caninclude a wired/wireless headset port, an external charger port, awired/wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting adevice having a user identification module, an audio I/O port, a videoI/O port, an earphone port, etc., for example.

An identification module is a chip that stores information forauthenticating the authority to use the mobile terminal 100 and caninclude a user identify module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM)and a universal subscriber identify module (USIM). A device (referred toas an identification device hereinafter) including the identificationmodule can be manufactured in the form of a smart card. Accordingly, theidentification device can be connected to the mobile terminal 100through a port.

The interface 170 can serve as a path through which power from anexternal cradle is provided to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobileterminal 100 is connected to the external cradle or a path through whichvarious command signals inputted by the user through the cradle to themobile terminal 100. The various command signals or power input from thecradle can be used as a signal for confirming whether the mobileterminal 100 is correctly set in the cradle.

The controller 180 controls the overall operation of the mobileterminal. For example, the controller 180 performs control andprocessing for voice communication, data communication and videotelephony. The controller 180 can include a multimedia module 181 forplaying multimedia. The multimedia module 181 can be included in thecontroller 180 or separated from the controller 180.

The controller 180 can perform a pattern recognition process capable ofrecognizing handwriting input or picture-drawing input applied to thetouch screen as characters or images.

The power supply 190 receives external power and internal power andprovides power required for the operations of the components of themobile terminal under the control of the controller 180.

Various embodiments can be implemented in a computer or similar devicereadable recording medium using software, hardware or a combinationthereof, for example. In a hardware implementation, one or moreembodiments can be implemented using at least one of applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs),digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices(PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors, electrical units for executingfunctions. In some cases, the embodiments can be implemented by thecontroller 180.

In a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures orfunctions can be implemented with a separate software module executingat least one function or operation. Software codes can be implementedaccording to a software application written in an appropriate softwarelanguage. Furthermore, the software codes can be stored in the memory160 and executed by the controller 180. Various Embodiments describedherein can be implemented in mobile terminal 100 explained withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Embodiments of a control method to be performed by the mobile terminal100 and various operations to be performed in or in association with themobile terminal 100 for implementing the control method will now beexplained. Particularly, a control method of the mobile terminal 100capable of supporting only a single PDP context due to networkcharacteristic or plat characteristic of the mobile terminal will bedescribed.

FIG. 3 shows steps included in one embodiment of a control method of themobile terminal 100, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are views for explaining thecontrol method of the mobile terminal 100. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and3, the controller 180 establishes a connection with the packet datanetwork 200 using a PDP context in operation S101. The controller 180executes at least one packet switched application through theconnection.

When the controller 180 is requested to execute a new packet switchedapplication that transmits/receives packet data through the connectionin operation S102, the controller 180 executes the requested packetswitched application. In addition, the controller 180 selects one offast dormancy (FD) timer values of multiple packet switched applicationsthat transmit/receive packet data through the connection in operationS103. The controller 180 operates an FD timer corresponding to theconnection by using the selected FD timer value in operation S104. Thecontroller 180 controls the connection based on the FD timer inoperation S105.

When one of the packet switched applications that transmit/receivepacket data through the connection is ended in operation S106, thecontroller 180 selects one of the FD timer values mapped to other packetswitched applications being executed in operation S107. Then, thecontroller 180 re-operates the FD timer using the selected FD timervalue in operation S108.

In the operations S103 and S107, the controller 180 selects the FD timervalues based on a predetermined priority. For example, the controller180 selects an FD timer value corresponding to FD timer OFF from the FDtimer values mapped to the packet switched applications first, and thenselects a larger FD timer value preferentially. That is, if the FD timervalues mapped to the packet switched applications include the FD timervalue corresponding to FD timer OFF, the controller 180 selects the FDtimer value corresponding to FD timer OFF to deactivate the FD timer. Ifthe FD timer values mapped to the packet switched applications do notinclude the FD timer value corresponding to FD timer OFF, the controller180 selects the largest FD timer values from the FD timer values mappedto the packet switched applications and operates the FD timer using thelargest FD timer value.

In the current embodiment, the FD timer values mapped to the packetswitched applications that transmit/receive packet data to/from thepacket data network 200 may be previously defined during the packetswitched applications are generated or set by the mobile terminal 100.

For example, the mobile terminal 100 can set the FD timer value of apacket switched application based on a packet transmitting/receivingpattern of the packet switched application, which includes a time whenpacket data transmitted from the packet switched application arrives atthe packet data network 200, or a time when the packet switchedapplication re-transmits packet data after the connection with thepacket data network 200 is cancelled, etc.

In this case, the controller 180 may set a smaller FD timer value for anapplication that periodically transmits/receives short packet datato/from the packet data network 200, such as a push email application,than FD timer values of other applications. This is because the packetdata receiving interval of the application may be very short.

Furthermore, the controller may set a larger FD timer value for anapplication transmitting/receiving packet data according to a user'soperation, such as a web browser application, than FD timer values ofother applications or deactivate the FD timer for the application. Thisis because the packet data transmitting/receiving interval related tothe application is long. In addition, the controller 180 may groupapplications having similar packet transmitting/receiving patterns as agroup and map an FD timer value, most suitable for the correspondingpacket transmitting/receiving patterns of each group, to each group.

The mobile terminal 100 may set the FD timer value of an applicationbased on the download route of the application. In this case, thecontroller 180 may discriminate an application downloaded through theInternet from an application previously downloaded to the mobileterminal 100 in an initial operation of the mobile terminal 100 and mapdifferent FD timer values to the applications.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary operation of the mobile terminal 100 to selectan FD timer value as a new packet switched application is executed.Referring to FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 100 sets the operating time ofthe FD timer to 3 when an email application 4 a having an FD timer valueof 3 is executed in operation S201.

When a widget application 4 b having an FD timer value of 10 isexecuted, the mobile terminal 100 selects a larger one of the FD timervalues of the email application 4 a and the widget application 4 b, thatis, 10, based on a predetermined priority and operates the FD timerusing the selected FD timer value in operation S202. That is, theoperating time of the FD timer is set to 10.

When a web browser application 4 c having an FD timer value OFF isexecuted, the mobile terminal 100 selects the FD timer value OFF fromthe FD timer values mapped to the email application 4 a, the widgetapplication 4 b and the web browser application 4 c based on thepredetermined priority. Accordingly, the FD timer is deactivated inoperation S203.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary operation of the mobile terminal 100 to selectan FD timer value as a packet switched application being executed isended. Referring to FIG. 5, when the email application 4 a having the FDtimer value of 3, the widget application 4 b having the FD timer valueof 10, and the web browser application 4 c having the FD timer value OFFare executed, the mobile terminal 100 selects the FD timer value OFFbased on the predetermined priority. Accordingly, the FD timer isdeactivated in operation S301.

When the email application 4 a is ended, the mobile terminal 100 selectsthe FD time value OFF from the FD timer values of the widget application4 b and the web browser application 4 c being executed based on thepredetermined priority and deactivates the FD timer in operation S302.

According to at least one of the above-described embodiments, the mobileterminal 100 can drive the FD timer most suitable for multiple packetswitched applications even when the mobile terminal 100 supports only asingle PDP context due to the network characteristic or the platformcharacteristic of the mobile terminal 100. That is, it is possible tosatisfy QoS of every packet switched application while minimizing powerconsumption required to maintain an unnecessary connection with thepacket data network 100.

The above-described control method of the mobile terminal may be writtenas computer programs and may be implemented in digital microprocessorsthat execute the programs using a computer readable recording medium.The method of controlling the mobile terminal may be executed throughsoftware. The software may include code segments that perform requiredtasks. Programs or code segments may also be stored in a processorreadable medium or may be transmitted according to a computer datasignal combined with a carrier through a transmission medium orcommunication network.

The computer readable recording medium may be any data storage devicethat can store data that can be thereafter read by a computer system.Examples of the computer readable recording medium may include read-onlymemory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, DVD±ROM, DVD-RAM,magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices. The computerreadable recording medium may also be distributed over network coupledcomputer systems so that the computer readable code is stored andexecuted in a distribution fashion.

One or more embodiments described herein may therefore provide a mobileterminal and a control method thereof for minimizing power consumptionaccording to email reception. As used herein, suffixes “module” and“unit” are given to components of the mobile terminal in considerationof only facilitation of description and do not have meanings orfunctions discriminated from each other.

Moreover, a mobile terminal as described herein can include a cellularphone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcastingterminal, personal digital assistants (PDA), a portable multimediaplayer (PMP), a navigation system and so on. However, those skilled inthe art will easily understand that configurations according toembodiments of the present invention can also be applied to stationaryterminals such as digital TV and desktop computers except a case wherethe configurations can be applied to only mobile terminals.

In accordance with one embodiment, a mobile terminal comprises awireless communication unit and a controller to establish a connectionwith a packet data network through the wireless communication unit,select one of a plurality of timer values that are respectively mappedto multiple applications for transmitting/receiving packet data throughthe connection based on a predetermined priority, operate a timer basedon the selected timer value, and control the connection based on thetimer.

The controller may maintain the connection while the timer operates andcancels the connection when the timer ends, and may cancel theconnection by deactivating a packet data protocol (PDP) contextcorresponding to the connection. Also, the mobile terminal may supportonly a single PDP context due to a network environment or platformcharacteristic of the mobile terminal. The timer may be a fast dormancy(FD) timer of a PDP context corresponding to the connection.

In addition, the controller may preferentially select the timer value tocorrespond to timer OFF from the plurality of mapped timer values. Also,the controller may select the time value to correspond to a largesttimer value from the plurality of mapped timer values when the pluralityof mapped timer values do not include the timer value corresponding totimer OFF.

In addition, the controller may map a timer value, calculated based on apacket transmitting/receiving pattern of at least one application thattransmits/receives packet data to/from the packet data network, to theat least one application.

In addition, the controller may group applications that transmit/receivepacket data to/from the packet data network into at least one groupbased on packet transmitting/receiving patterns of the applications andmaps a same timer value to the at least one group. A packettransmitting/receiving pattern of the at least one application may bebased on at least one of a time when packet data transmitted from theapplication arrives at the packet data network or a packet datareceiving interval of the application.

In accordance with another embodiment, a control method of a mobileterminal comprises establishing a connection with a packet data networkusing a PDP context; simultaneously executing multiple applications thattransmit/receive packet data through the connection; selecting one of aplurality of timer values respectively mapped to the multipleapplications based on a predetermined priority; operating a timer usingthe selected timer value; and controlling the connection based on thetimer.

The connection may be controlled by maintaining the connection while thetimer operates; and canceling the connection when the timer is ended.Also, the mobile terminal may support only a single PDP context due to anetwork environment or platform characteristic of the mobile terminal.

The timer value may be selected by selecting the timer value tocorrespond to timer OFF from the plurality of mapped timer values whenthe plurality of mapped timer values includes the timer valuecorresponding to timer OFF; and selecting the time value to correspondto a largest timer value from the plurality of mapped timer values whenthe mapped timer values do not include the timer value corresponding totimer OFF. The timer is a fast dormancy (FD) timer of the PDP context.

In accordance with another embodiment, a computer-readable mediumstoring a program for controlling a mobile terminal, the programcomprising: a first code section to establish a connection with a packetdata network using a PDP context; a second code section tosimultaneously execute multiple applications that transmit/receivepacket data through the connection; a third code section to select oneof a plurality of timer values respectively mapped to the multipleapplications based on a predetermined priority; a fourth code section tooperate a timer based on the selected timer value; and a fifth codesection to control the connection based on the timer. The code sectionsmay be separate code sections or two or more of the code sections mayoverlap.

The third code section may select the timer value to correspond to timerOFF from the plurality of mapped timer values when the plurality ofmapped timer values includes the timer value corresponding to timer OFF;and select the time value to correspond to a largest timer value fromthe plurality of mapped timer values when the mapped timer values do notinclude the timer value corresponding to timer OFF.

The fifth code section may maintain the connection while the timeroperates; and cancel the connection when the timer is ended. Also, themobile terminal may support only a single PDP context due to a networkenvironment or platform characteristic of the mobile terminal. The timermay ye a fast dormancy (FD) timer of the PDP context.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments. Thefeatures of one embodiment may be combined with features of remainingembodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

1. A mobile terminal comprising: a wireless communication unit; and acontroller configured to establish a connection with a packet datanetwork through the wireless communication unit, select one of aplurality of timer values respectively mapped to multiple applications,which transmit/receive packet data through the connection, based on apredetermined priority, operate a timer based on the selected timervalue, and control the connection based on the timer.
 2. The mobileterminal of claim 1, wherein the controller maintains the connectionwhile the timer operates and cancels the connection when the timer isended.
 3. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the controller cancelsthe connection by deactivating a packet data protocol (PDP) contextcorresponding to the connection.
 4. The mobile terminal of claim 3,wherein the mobile terminal supports only a single PDP context due to anetwork environment or platform characteristic of the mobile terminal.5. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the timer is a fast dormancy(FD) timer of a PDP context corresponding to the connection.
 6. Themobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller preferentiallyselects the timer value to correspond to timer OFF from the plurality oftimer values.
 7. The mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the controllerselects the time value to correspond to a largest timer value from theplurality of timer values when the plurality of mapped timer values donot include the timer value corresponding to timer OFF.
 8. The mobileterminal of claim 1, wherein the controller maps a timer value,calculated based on a packet transmitting/receiving pattern of at leastone application that transmits/receives packet data to/from the packetdata network, to the at least one application.
 9. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the controller groups applications, thattransmit/receive packet data to/from the packet data network, into atleast one group based on packet transmitting/receiving patterns of theapplications and maps a same timer value to at applications grouped assame group.
 10. The mobile terminal of claim 8, wherein a packettransmitting/receiving pattern of the application is based on a timewhen packet data transmitted from the application arrives at the packetdata network or a packet data receiving interval of the application. 11.A control method of a mobile terminal, comprising: establishing aconnection with a packet data network using a PDP context; executingmultiple applications that transmit/receive packet data through theconnection; selecting one of a plurality of timer values respectivelymapped to the multiple applications based on a predetermined priority;operating a timer using the selected timer value; and controlling theconnection based on the timer.
 12. The control method of claim 11,wherein said controlling comprises: maintaining the connection while thetimer operates; and canceling the connection when the timer is ended.13. The control method of claim 11, wherein the mobile terminal supportsonly a single PDP context due to a network environment or platformcharacteristic of the mobile terminal.
 14. The control method of claim11, wherein said selecting comprises: selecting the timer value tocorrespond to timer OFF from the plurality of mapped timer values whenthe plurality of timer values includes the timer value corresponding totimer OFF; and selecting the time value to correspond to a largest timervalue from the plurality of timer values when the mapped timer values donot include the timer value corresponding to timer OFF.
 15. The controlmethod of claim 11, wherein the timer is a fast dormancy (FD) timer ofthe PDP context.
 16. A computer-readable medium storing a program forcontrolling a mobile terminal, the program comprising: a first codesection to establish a connection with a packet data network using a PDPcontext; a second code section to execute multiple applications thattransmit/receive packet data through the connection; a third codesection to select one of a plurality of timer values respectively mappedto the multiple applications based on a predetermined priority; a fourthcode section to operate a timer based on the selected timer value; and afifth code section to control the connection based on the timer.
 17. Themedium of claim 16, wherein the fifth code section is to: maintain theconnection while the timer operates; and cancel the connection when thetimer is ended.
 18. The medium of claim 16, wherein the mobile terminalsupports only a single PDP context due to a network environment orplatform characteristic of the mobile terminal.
 19. The medium of claim16, wherein the third code section is to: select the timer value tocorrespond to timer OFF from the plurality of mapped timer values whenthe plurality of timer values includes the timer value corresponding totimer OFF; and select the time value to correspond to a largest timervalue from the plurality of mapped timer values when the timer values donot include the timer value corresponding to timer OFF.